HALF a century ago this week, England’s football team reached the pinnacle of its sport – winning the World Cup for the first and only time.

July 30, 1966, seems a world away from today’s national football team, which exited the Euro 2016 tournament in disgrace after defeat against minnows Iceland.

The pampered millionaires of Roy Hodgson’s team will return to their club sides, their stately homes and sports cars.

But back in 1966, times were simpler.

Players often socialised with fans after matches, and also often had to find work after they retired from the game.

Pitches were muddy quagmires, rather than the pristine bowling greens on which elite footballers ply their trade in today’s game.

But all that didn’t stop Alf Ramsey’s team winning the biggest prize in the game, the iconic Jules Rimet trophy.

England were considered one of the favourites for the tournament, which was the biggest World Cup ever, featuring 70 countries.

Bolton was represented in the squad, with Farnworth’s Alan Ball becoming one of the top performers in the team.

Other stars included captain Bobby Moore and striker Jimmy Greaves.

The tournament got off to a slow start for England, with a 0-0 draw against Uruguay.

But two 2-0 wins against Mexico and France respectively ensured Ramsey’s team qualified for the knockout stage.

England knocked out Argentina in the quarter finals, then Portugal in the semi-finals, before facing the old enemy, West Germany.

On Saturday, July 30, 1966, the country united behind Ramsey’s men, to watch what would arguably become the most famous match in football history.

More than 96,000 people crammed into Wembley Stadium in London to watch the game first hand.

In addition, more than 32 million people watched the game on television, making it the most watched TV event ever in the UK.

Excitement was at fever pitch across the nation, with flags and bunting adorning streets and houses.

West Germany went 1-0 up after 12 minutes, before Geoff Hurst equalised seven minutes later with a towering header.

England took the lead for the first time with about 10 minutes to go, when Martin Peters converted Hurst’s deflected shot.

But West Germany equalised in the 89th minute, breaking the hearts of a nation.

It was only in extra time when Geoff Hurst scored the most controversial and famous goal in football history. Did it go over the line or not? Well, that depends on who you ask.

But the one person who mattered, referee Gottfried Dienst, ruled that the goal should stand.

And with that, the party was well and truly started. England won 4-2 after extra time.

The West Ham player then completed his hat-trick in the last minute of the extra period to make it 4-2.

After that goal, Farnworth born commentator Kenneth Wolstenholme, who had gone to the same Farnworth school as Alan Ball, created his own spot in sporting history, with his now immortal line: “Some people are on the pitch, they think it’s all over, it is now.”

Bobby Moore famously wiped his hands of mud and sweat on a velvet tablecloth while he was making his way to the royal box, before receiving the trophy from the Queen and raising it aloft.

Successive England teams have tried since, and some have come close, but none have ever equalled the achievements of the boys of 1966.